CN101303400A - Turbospin echo imaging sequence with long echo trains and optimized T1 contrast - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method in the form of a turbo spin echo imaging sequence with long echo trains and optimized T1 contrast for generation of T1-weighted images of an examination subject by magnetic resonance, magnetization in the examination subject is excited with an RF excitation pulse, a number N of RF refocusing pulses with variable flip angle are radiated to generate multiple spin echoes for an excitation pulse, a restoration pulse chain is activated after switching of the N refocusing pulses and before the next RF excitation pulse. The restoration pulse chain influences the magnetization such that the magnetization is aligned opposite to the direction of the basic magnetic field by the restoration pulse chain before the next RF excitation pulse.

Description

The quick spin echo imaging sequence of tool long echo series and optimized T 1 contrast

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of method that produces the t1 weighted image of checking object by nuclear magnetic resonant.The present invention especially is applied in the application of quick spin echo imaging sequence, utilizes this quick spin echo imaging sequence should realize the T1 contrast.The present invention for example can be used for distinguishing white matter of brain and ectocinerea when taking the image of brain.Certainly it can also be used for the inspection field of other expectation T1 contrast.

Background technology

Usually use bidimensional spin-echo imaging sequence in order to realize the T1 contrast in the magnetic resonance image (MRI) (MR image).But it is long that its shortcoming is a shooting time.The long echo series that has a plurality of refocusing pulses by connection can shorten shooting time.But the problem of long echo series with a plurality of refocusing pulses is to make the T1 contrast deterioration, because detected signal comprises the T2 weighting of increase in the operational process of echo series.

In addition, developed three-dimensional spin echo imaging method, wherein after the not optional driving pulse in space, use refocusing pulse, can use long echo series (to see people such as Mugler JP " Three-dimensional spin-echo-train proton-density-weightedimaging using shaped signal evolutions " thus with different scanning angle; 1999, Proceedings of the 7 ^ThAnnualMeeting of ISMRM, Philadelphia, USA, 1631 pages, and people such as Mugler " Optimizedsingle-slab three-dimensional spin-echo MR imaging of the brain ", Radiology, 2000; 216 (3): 891-899).But this method still has following shortcoming: the signal echo when long echo series (Echozug) after comprises higher T2 weighting.

US 2004/0051527A1 has described a kind of image pickup method that utilizes long echo series, wherein before connection has a plurality of refocusing pulses at variable sweep angle with reversal of magnetism.But still can not prevent the growth of T2 weighting thus.

Summary of the invention

Therefore the technical problem to be solved in the present invention is, proposes a kind of method that produces the image of T1 weighting, although wherein adopt long echo series also can farthest suppress the T2 weighting.

Technical matters of the present invention is solved by a kind of method that produces the t1 weighted image of checking object in magnetic resonance equipment, wherein, utilizes a radio-frequency excitation pulses excitation to check the magnetization of object in first step.Inject N then and have the high frequency refocusing pulse at variable sweep angle to produce a plurality of spin echoes for a driving pulse.According to the present invention, after connecting N refocusing pulse, use one and recover pulse train (Wiederherstellungspulskette), wherein, before next radio-frequency excitation pulses, use this to recover pulse train.The recovery pulse train of this high-frequency impulse influences magnetization like this, and magnetization is being directed on the negative z direction opposite with the main field direction by this recovery pulse train before the next radio-frequency excitation pulses.Main field B0 is also referred to as polarization field, is determined to be on the positive z direction directed usually.According to a first aspect of the invention, before next radio-frequency excitation pulses, will magnetize and the reverse 180 ° of orientations of main field direction.T1 contrast in the image of strengthening calculating by this recovery pulse train.Mean in order to produce the magnetization on the negative z axle at this this recovery pulse train, not to resemble before the radio-frequency excitation pulses of at first incident and the refocusing pulse of following thereafter, to carry out reversal of magnetism known in the prior art, but after refocusing pulse, just carry out reversal of magnetism.This recovers only enforcement refocusing pulse after of pulse train, and do not resemble yet known in the prior art by connecting before preceding reverse impulse is positioned at it.

According to preferred implementation of the present invention, recover pulse train and constitute like this: at first after refocusing pulse, make the cross magnetization maximum, this maximized cross magnetization is directed on the negative z direction opposite with main field.Recover pulse train at this and can have three high-frequency impulses, wherein preceding two high-frequency impulses of this recovery pulse train make the cross magnetization maximum after N refocusing pulse, and last high-frequency impulse of this recovery pulse train makes this magnetization orientation on the negative z direction opposite with main field.In this embodiment, two first high-frequency impulses can be along the axis incident in the transverse plane, and the 3rd high-frequency impulse then is substantially perpendicular to this two first pulse incidents.If for example two first pulse edge y axles incident, then the 3rd pulse will be along the incident of x axle.

Interval T on for example can be if having time between the refocusing pulse _Es, the time interval between first high-frequency impulse of this last refocusing pulse and recovery pulse train can be similarly T _Es, and the time interval between preceding two first high-frequency impulses of recovery pulse train can equal T too _EsIn one embodiment, recover half size that time interval between the twoth of pulse train and the 3rd high-frequency impulse can be chosen as it, i.e. T _Es/ 2.Recover the following calculating of scan angle of preceding two first high-frequency impulses of pulse train:

β _n，y＝β _maxcos(λ(2-n))，n＝1，2 [1]

$\mathrm{\λ}={\cos }^{-1}\left(\frac{{\mathrm{\α}}_{L,y}}{{\mathrm{\β}}_{\max }}\right)/2---\left[2\right]$

Wherein, β _{N, y}Be preceding two scan angles of recovering pulse, β _MaxBe the maximal value of scan angle, for example can be at this with β for calculating and imaging _MaxBe chosen as between 150 ° and 170 °, be preferably 160 °.α _{L, y}Scan angle for last high-frequency impulse in the refocusing pulse series.

Preferably utilize part Fourier techniques (so-called Half-Partial-Fourier technology) to take magnetic resonance image (MRI).In this technique for taking, fill whole original data space or k space without signal.Use with the linear order of phase encoding line on phase-encoding direction according to this part Fourier techniques of one aspect of the present invention.By using the part Fourier techniques with respect to the conventional method of using variable refocusing pulse, to shorten the length of echo series.But can make by the length that reduces echo series the T2 weighting component of signal influence minimum.By the part Fourier techniques echo train legth is reduced by half, can make T2 effect of signals minimum thus.For example use refocusing pulse between 100 to 120 in the mode of routine, and reduce between 50 to 60 according to this number of this aspect of the present invention with variable sweep angle.

If using saturated section that before this first driving pulse, destroys cross magnetization therein before first radio-frequency excitation pulses of imaging sequence, then provided another possibility of optimizing picture contrast according to another aspect of the present invention.This magnetization is prepared and can is used to make the gradient of cross magnetization dephasing as a result to realize by one 90 ° of driving pulses and connection subsequently.This saturated section of only the time connecting before first driving pulse in beginning can be used to avoid the unlike signal level during this first driving pulse.Preparing by this magnetization can be so that comprises the component of signal of substantial constant in the first repetition time TR and affiliated driving pulse.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the time interval T of activation fragment before first driving pulse _TDCan calculate by separating Bloch equation.Can following estimation T _TD:

$T_{\mathrm{TD}}=-{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="T"\; filenames="A20081009910200192.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">T</figure-callout>}}_1\ln (1-\frac{M_{Z0}}{M_0})---\left[3\right]$

Wherein, M ₀The magnetization of expression longitudinal balance, M _Z0Ending, next driving pulse of being illustrated in refocusing pulse series begin before because the magnetization of T1 relaxation.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, calculate the important imaging parameters of imaging sequence by Bloch equation.One of these parameters can be two repetition time TR between the driving pulse.Equally, can calculate the scan angle of the 3rd high-frequency impulse that recovers pulse train by separating Bloch equation.The scan angle of refocusing pulse also can utilize Bloch equation to calculate.According to embodiments of the present invention, change the scan angle of refocusing pulse like this, make scan angle between 70 °-90 ° of first high-frequency impulse inductions of this spike train.Use this bigger scan angle so that when this echo series beginning, obtain magnetized pseudo equilibrium state.The value of this scan angle reduces to 20 ° to 30 ° in a small amount of high-frequency impulse, and this scan angle is increased to value between 40 ° to 60 ° continuously up to N high-frequency impulse then.Reach the pseudo equilibrium state by this scan angle sequence.Above-described value relates to the imaging sequence that is used to produce the preferable image contrast between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain.Can certainly be used for the applicable cases that other scan angle changes.Make the value of scan angle rise to about 50 ° of relaxation process that are used for resisted organize from about 20 ° lentamente.

In application to subject's head, can select scan angle and imaging parameters like this, make that ectocinereal signal is basic during some refocusing pulses to keep constant.In one embodiment, can determine that the signal of ectocinerea during different refocusing pulses changes, select ectocinerea to begin therein then and comprise zone relevant with refocusing pulse, substantially invariable signal variation, be the number of refocusing pulse.Use ectocinereal therein signal to change and reach the center that the first constant refocusing pulse is taken the k space, the signal difference maximum between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain therein substantially.Because picture contrast is responsible at the center in k space, and significant for resolution than the k spatial row of outside, the moment of therefore selecting the signal difference maximum between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain is as the moment of taking k space center.

The high-frequency impulse that uses in imaging sequence can be so-called hard (harte) high-frequency impulse, and it has in time-varying process substantially be the appearance profile of rectangle, and be launched under the situation of not connecting gradient simultaneously.Preferred imaging sequence is the three-dimensional imaging sequence, and wherein three-dimensional does not realize by connecting a plurality of bidimensional layers in succession, but by encouraging a solid and additional again another phase encoding gradient of connection is realized outside existing phase encoding gradient then.

Description of drawings

Describe the present invention in detail below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, shown in it:

Fig. 1 illustrates according to the change for the scan angle of refocusing pulse of the method for prior art;

Fig. 2 illustrates for the selection according to the refocusing pulse of the embodiment of Fig. 1 and changes for ectocinerea and white matter of brain signal;

Fig. 3 schematically shows according to the present invention in order to obtain the pulse sequence diagram based on the image of the spin echo of T1 weighting;

Fig. 4 illustrates a section of spike train figure of Fig. 3, the connection that it illustrates refocusing pulse and recovers pulse;

Fig. 5 illustrates the variation of refocusing pulse scan angle and the variation that recovers preceding two high-frequency impulses of pulse train;

That Fig. 6 illustrates is relevant with the refocusing pulse number, change for the ectocinerea of the different angles of last high-frequency impulse that recovers pulse train and the signal of white matter of brain;

Fig. 7 illustrates the variation with the scan angle signal difference relevant, between moment TE ectocinerea and white matter of brain of last high-frequency impulse that recovers pulse train;

Fig. 8 illustrate relevant with repetition time TR and at different echo-pulse length, in the echo signal difference between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain constantly;

Fig. 9 illustrates ectocinerea relevant with echo train legth and the signal difference between the white matter of brain;

Figure 10 is illustrated in before incident first radio-frequency excitation pulses and is utilizing saturated section and do not have under saturated section the situation, change at the signal of moment TE ectocinerea and white matter of brain.

Embodiment

Be described in detail in the T2 weighting that occurs along with the echo train legth that increases in the method for prior art below in conjunction with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.Fig. 1 illustrates according to the selection to the scan angle of the refocusing pulse of fast acquisition interleaved spin echo of the quantity of high frequency refocusing pulse.The corresponding signal that Fig. 2 illustrates for scan angle ectocinerea of using among Fig. 1 and white matter of brain changes, and wherein, utilize the quick spin echo imaging sequence with long echo series to reach the T1 contrast.Ectocinereal signal changes (GM) and is used as the rated signal value in the Bloch equation of the scan angle that is used for calculating chart 1.Select these analog parameters like this: repetition time TR=750ms, echo time TE=15ms, the time interval T between refocusing pulse _Es=3ms, is that the quantity of refocusing pulse is 111, for ectocinerea T1/T2=915/100ms, for white matter of brain T1/T2=600/80ms at echo train legth.Scan angle is beginning to change bigger, surpasses 80 ° in the beginning scan angle, and after being less than 5 high-frequency impulses, the scan angle that these pulses had is 20 ° to 25 °.Scan angle rises continuously then.As shown in Figure 2, after the quick index decreased of beginning, reach the pseudo equilibrium state.When ectocinereal signal kept constant, the signal of white matter of brain descended.Under given TR, at the signal that begins to produce the T1 weighting of echo series, the signal of T2 weighting then changes gradually the in service of echo series.The signal of white matter of brain and ectocinereal signal intersect at maximum high-frequency impulse number.Therefore the increase picture contrast along with number of echoes degenerates.Picture contrast depends at K _yThe ectocinerea of=0 k space mid point and the signal value between the white matter of brain poor.In order to obtain enough T1 contrasts, when beginning to reach the pseudo equilibrium state, take K _y=0.When injecting a plurality of refocusing pulse that has than wide angle scanning in echo when beginning series as shown in Figure 1, can reach this pseudo equilibrium state.If, then can finding out picture contrast faster than ectocinereal signal, the signal landing of considering white matter of brain depends on the longitudinal magnetization M that tightly is positioned at before the driving pulse _Z0And the absolute value that falls up to the signal that arrives the pseudo equilibrium state.M _Z0The ending that is illustrated in echo series begins before because the longitudinal magnetization of T1 relaxation to driving pulse afterwards.Work as M _Z0During rising, the absolute value that the pseudo equilibrium status signal falls reduces, and ground changes because signal is index decreased.Therefore the T1 contrast that increases for acquisition is correctly controlled the M in ectocinerea and the white matter of brain _Z0Value is very important.

This can utilize the pulse sequence diagram that schematically shows among Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 to realize.Fig. 3 illustrates 3D fast spin echo pulse diagram, utilizes this figure can also obtain to have the T1 contrast of the optimization of long echo series.The refocusing pulse series 31 of utilizing space not optional driving pulse 30 heels to have the variable sweep angle realizes signal excitation.Signal is taken as realizing between refocusing pulse respectively after first refocusing pulse common in the quick echo sequence.As using so-called part Fourier techniques at this in conjunction with as described in Fig. 5, wherein have only half k space to fill raw data following.After refocusing pulse series 31, also followed and recovered pulse 32, recovered pulse 32 by this and prepare magnetization M _Z0, the T1 contrast that makes acquisition optimization.To describe in detail below in conjunction with Fig. 4 refocusing pulse series 31 and recovery pulse 32.After repetition time TR, following the not optional driving pulse 30 in next space.

Before first driving pulse, be before the not optional driving pulse in first space now, connect magnetization and prepare 33, it is for example by 90 ° of pulses and a destruction gradient that is used to make corresponding cross magnetization dephasing subsequently.The back also can prepare to describe in detail to the magnetization that preceding connects in conjunction with Figure 10.

Fig. 4 is shown specifically the refocusing pulse of refocusing pulse series 31 and recovers pulse 32.Refocusing pulse has different scanning angle α by N _{1, y}To α _{L, y}Pulse form.Be spaced apart T between two refocusing pulses _EsFig. 5 illustrates the scan angle of different refocusing pulses.The scan angle of first pulse is about 80 °, and scan angle reaches about 20 ° between the 5th and the tenth pulse.Scan angle rises continuously up to about the 60th refocusing pulse then.As seen comparison diagram 1 and Fig. 5 have approximately reduced half by the length ETL that adopts part Fourier techniques echo series.After the refocusing pulse of refocusing pulse series 31, following recovery pulse 32, be pulse 32a, 32b, 32c in an example shown.Last refocusing pulse and first recover pulse β _{1, y}Between the interval be similarly T _Es, identical with first and second intervals of recovering between the pulse.Y value that provides among Fig. 4 and x value provide the direction of incident, extend along the z direction of principal axis in the direction of this main field.The task of preceding two pulse 32a, 32b is that the residue cross magnetization is focused on after refocusing pulse and maximization thus again, and last recovers pulse 32c and then be used for directly strengthening the T1 contrast before next driving pulse.As explaining in conjunction with Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, last recovers pulse 32c magnetization reversal is arrived the negative z direction opposite with the main field direction.As shown in the figure, preceding two β pulses of all α pulses of refocusing pulse series and recovery spike train are all along for example y direction incident, and last recovers pulse 32c then with it vertically along the incident of x direction.A previous in addition and last interval of recovering between the pulse has only T _Es/ 2.The scan angle of preceding two pulses can followingly be selected:

β _n，y＝β _maxcos(λ(2-n))，n＝1，2 [4]

$\mathrm{\&lambda;}={\cos }^{-1}\left(\frac{{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_{L,y}}{{\mathrm{\&beta;}}_{\max }}\right)/2---\left[5\right]$

Wherein, β _{N, y}Be preceding two scan angles of recovering pulse, β _MaxFor recovering the maximal value of pulse scan angle, it for example can be chosen as 160 °.Fig. 5 also shows preceding two angles of recovering pulse.α _{L, y}Scan angle for last high-frequency impulse in the refocusing pulse series of utilizing the shooting of part Fourier techniques.M _Z0Value can recover the scan angle β of pulse by selecting last _{L, x}With by in the end one recover that the signal until next driving pulse influences release time after the pulse, use T in this this time period _SrMark is also shown in Figure 3.In addition, M _Z0Can also influence by the change of repetition time TR.

The T1 contrast of shown imaging sequence at first depends on following imaging parameters: β _{L, x}, TR and echo train legth ETL.Bloch equation has been carried out numerical simulation calculating imaging parameters, as under 1.5 teslas with the following repetition time: for ectocinerea T1/T2=950/100ms, for white matter of brain T1/T2=600/80ms.Signal during a plurality of high frequency refocusing pulses changes according to last scan angle of recovering pulse 32c to be studied by calculating Bloch equation.Fig. 6 illustrates a calculating for example, has wherein used three different scan angle β _{L, x}The pulse of-90 ° of scan angles along the x axle, promptly on positive y direction for the conventional pulse of the cross magnetization of reversing; 0 ° of scan angle (non-pulse) and 90 ° of pulses along the x axle, high-frequency impulse is vertical to bearing with magnetization orientation under this pulse.The analog parameter that Fig. 6 uses is: TR=57ms, TE=15ms, T _Es=3ms, ETL=113, AETL=60.Do not magnetize in addition and prepare 33.Shown that the signal of ectocinerea and white matter of brain changes behind about 10TR, so that can study characteristics of signals.Fig. 6 is to different scan angle β _{L, x}With ectocinerea and white matter of brain are shown this pseudo equilibrium state.Show in addition wherein at K _yTook the value of the high-frequency impulse of k space center at=0 o'clock.Signal difference decision picture contrast between this moment ectocinerea and white matter of brain.

As shown in Figure 5, preceding two scan angles of recovering pulse are 130 ° and 160 °.Now in Fig. 6 as seen, utilize normally used-90 ° of pulses (so-called inversion pulse (Flip-Back-Puls)) can not reach optimum signal difference between white matter of brain (WM) and the ectocinerea (GM).Utilize conventional scan angle (utilizing its magnetization to be directed to positive z direction again) then to have the signal difference between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain hardly.Ectocinereal signal (GM signal) shows the slow rising along echo series, and the signal of white matter of brain then descends relatively doughtily.This signal that causes being not suitable for the T1 contrast changes.The signal of white matter of brain is higher than ectocinereal signal when not using pulse.Because the signal of white matter of brain descends these two curve intersections after about 35 refocusing pulses strongly.Half signal in the first echo series is by the T1 weighting, and it is subjected to the influence of T2 afterwards more strongly.When use makes magnetization with the oppositely oriented scan angle of longitudinal magnetization, can see that the signal difference is the strongest.Because two curves of this big signal difference are also non-intersect, this causes the T1 weighting along whole echo series.By the description of Fig. 6 as seen, the recovery pulse that has suitable scan angle by suitable selection can be optimized the T1 contrast.

Fig. 7 is illustrated in echo moment TE and has the change β that last recovers pulse _{L, x}White matter of brain and the signal difference SD between the ectocinerea _WGIn the embodiment shown, last recover pulse-90 ° and+change between 90 °, TR changes between 400ms and 1200ms in this repetition time.Work as β _{L, x}During less than-50 °, signal difference when TR=400ms for just, and its TR during greater than 600ms for negative.If β _{L, x}Greater than 15 °, then signal difference all for just, this means that the signal of white matter of brain is higher than ectocinereal signal for all given TR.Can usually be found out by Fig. 7, contrast, be that signal difference is at β _{L, x}In the time of=90 ° and selected TR irrelevant for maximum.In sum as can be seen from Fig. 7, utilize the scan angle that makes magnetization bear z direction orientation in next high-frequency impulse forward position can reach best contrast.

Fig. 8 illustrate for the repetition time section 350 and 1500ms between, again focus on echo train legth ETL between 20 and 100, adopt β _{L, x}=90 ° of signal difference that calculate at moment TE.Should the signal difference of moment TE TR 700 and 800ms between the time and the echo train legth of selection irrespectively reach maximal value.Fig. 9 illustrates the relevant signal difference of echo train legth (ETL) with its value refocusing pulse between 20 and 200, wherein adopts two imaging parameters β that are optimized for 90 ° and 750ms _{L, x}And TR.The intersection point of ectocinerea and white matter of brain signal is shown at 40 places.When ETL less than 110 the time, signal difference just remains, and this means that signal is by along whole echo series T1 weighting.Greater than 110 o'clock, signal difference was for negative in the value of ETL, this means signal in the decline of echo series by partly T2 weighting.Utilize the part Fourier techniques this means and only taken 50-60 refocusing pulse.

In conjunction with Figure 10 as seen at echo time TE, have and magnetization prepare under the situation of (being labeled as SR, saturation recovery) ectocinerea and white matter of brain signal about the performance of the first repetition time TR.Do not have the signal of saturation pulse in preceding four TR, to fluctuate and just reach equilibrium state after this, adopted magnetization to prepare or saturated white matter of brain and ectocinerea signal then just reached equilibrium state in beginning.Figure 10 illustrates, and beginning to adopt piece 33 in imaging is significant for obtaining constant signal.

Below describe the scan angle of refocusing pulse and how to calculate, this scan angle changes (see figure 5) along with the quantity of the refocusing pulse of connecting.Because driving pulse and refocusing pulse all are the very short not optional pulses in space, can ignore the relaxation when using each independent pulse.Therefore injecting each independent pulse only means and pivots.Below default refocusing pulse is injected along the y axle.Direct magnetization M after this pulse _x, M _y, M _zBe expressed as:

M _Y ⁺＝M _Y [6]

M _x ⁺＝M _xcosα-M _zsinα[7]

M _z ⁺＝M _xsinα+M _zcosα[8]

Wherein, M _x, M _y, M _zExpression is the magnetization before this pulse directly, and α is the scan angle of this pulse.Utilize compound expression way M _Xy=M _x+ iM _yAnd M _Xy ^*=M _x-iM _yCan be described in this pulse cross magnetization M afterwards _Xy ⁺:

$M_{\mathrm{xy}}^{+}=M_{\mathrm{xy}}{\sin }^2\frac{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}{2}-M_{\mathrm{xy}}^{*}{\sin }^2\frac{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}{2}-M_z\sin \mathrm{\&alpha;}---\left[9\right]$

Wherein, M _XyFor not having the cross magnetization of pulse ,-M _Xy ^*Be the magnetization after 180 ° of pulses ,-M _zExpression has the longitudinal magnetization of 90 ° of pulses.If the time interval T between echo train legth ETL and the refocusing pulse _EsKnown, can utilize signal variation and the relaxation time of being examined tissue to calculate focusing scanning angle again specific to tissue.Mated for the above formula of each pulse and to be:

$S\left(n\right)=A\left(n\right){\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="cos"\; filenames="A20081009910200161.png,A20081009910200192.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">cos</figure-callout>}}^2\frac{{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="n"\; filenames="A20081009910200161.png,A20081009910200192.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">n</figure-callout>}}}{2}+B\left(n\right){\sin }^2\frac{{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="n"\; filenames="A20081009910200161.png,A20081009910200192.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">n</figure-callout>}}}{2}+C\left(n\right)\sin {\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_n---\left[10\right]$

[11]

[12]

[13]

Wherein, A _k, B _k, C _kRespectively corresponding to the item M in the formula [9] _Xy,-M _Xy ^*With-M _z, and the signal of expression about occurring in the isochromatic line angular range average, between high-frequency impulse subsequently.M _iExpression beginning magnetization vector [00M _z] ^(T), R _x, R _y, R _zBe respectively around x axle (radio-frequency excitation pulses), y axle (refocusing pulse) and z axle (dephasing) rotation matrix owing to the gradient that adopts.T (...) is the matrix operation symbol, and expression is for the T1 and the T2 relaxation of special time; Z is a matrix (000; 000; 001) ^T, its cross magnetization of magnetization vector that will be used to calculate the signal echo composition of simulation is changed to 0; N is in the quantity that adopts the isochromatic line of simulating under the situation of Bloch equation.This hypothesis between driving pulse and first refocusing pulse and the magnetic field gradient that between each refocusing pulse and echo subsequently, is energized all cause the identical dephasing of shape of cross magnetization.Therefore its value is Φ _m=360 ° of (m-1)/N.Under situation about considering, form the echo of first echo and simulation simultaneously along the y axle for the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill condition of spin echo spike train and normal gradients configuration.Therefore be reduced to can be to A for formula [10] _kThe scalar quadratic equation that calculates with the form of sealing:

${\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_k={\cos }^{-1}\frac{(A_k-B_k)({2S}_k-A_k-B_k)\&PlusMinus;{4C}_k\sqrt{C_k^2-(S_k-B_k)(S_k-A_k)}}{{(A_k-B_k)}^2+{4\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="C\; k"\; filenames="A20081009910200161.png,A20081009910200192.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">C</figure-callout>}}_k^{}}.---\left[14\right]$

Signal described in order to find, that produce the highest signal level changes, and simply the scan angle condition is integrated in the process of separating thus, with the form of this sealing with (see people such as Mugler " Practical Implementationof Optimized Tissue-specific Prescribed Signal Evolutions for ImprovedTurbo-Spin-Echo Imaging " based on the alternative manner of normal space Bi-method for cutting (Bi-Abschnittverfahren), 2003, Proceedings of the 11 ^ThAnnual Meeting ofISMAM, Toronto, Canada, 203 pages) combine.

In sum, method of the present invention makes the 3-dimensional fast spin echo image that produces pure T1 weighting become possibility, and wherein the T1 contrast especially realizes by the feature of recovering pulse, adopt half Fourier techniques and adopt magnetization to prepare.Applied three high-frequency impulses that recover pulse train will remain the cross magnetization amplification and then it will be inverted to negative z direction.Avoided the T2 weighting of amplifying equally by adopting half Fourier techniques.

Claims (19)

1. produce to check the method for the t1 weighted image of object to have step by nuclear magnetic resonant for one kind:

Utilize a radio-frequency excitation pulses (30) excitation to check the magnetization of object;

Inject N and have the high frequency refocusing pulse (31) at variable sweep angle to produce a plurality of spin echoes for a driving pulse;

After this N refocusing pulse and before next radio-frequency excitation pulses, connect and recover pulse train (32), this recovery pulse train influences this magnetization like this, and this magnetization is directed on the negative z direction opposite with the main field direction by this recovery pulse train (32) before in next radio-frequency excitation pulses (30).

2. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described recovery pulse train (32) constitutes like this: at first make the cross magnetization maximum afterwards at refocusing pulse (31), make this magnetization orientation then on the negative z direction opposite with main field.

3. method according to claim 1 and 2, it is characterized in that, described recovery pulse train (32) has three high-frequency impulses, wherein should recover preceding two high-frequency impulse (32a of pulse train, 32b) after refocusing pulse, make the cross magnetization maximum, and last high-frequency impulse (32c) of this recovery pulse train makes magnetization orientation on the negative z direction opposite with main field.

4. method according to claim 3, it is characterized in that, (32a, 32b) along the axis incident in the transverse plane, and the 3rd high-frequency impulse (32c) of this recovery pulse train is substantially perpendicular to this preceding two pulse incidents to preceding two high-frequency impulses of described recovery pulse train.

5. according to claim 3 or 4 described methods, it is characterized in that the time interval between the described N refocusing pulse (31) is T _Es, the time interval between preceding two high-frequency impulses of said recovery pulse train is substantially equal to T equally _Es

6. according to each described method in the claim 3 to 5, it is characterized in that the time interval between first high-frequency impulse of N refocusing pulse and described recovery pulse train is essentially T too _Es

7. according to each described method in the claim 3 to 6, it is characterized in that the time interval between the twoth of described recovery pulse train and the 3rd high-frequency impulse is substantially equal to T _Es/ 2.

8. according to each described method in the claim 3 to 7, it is characterized in that the following calculating of scan angle of preceding two high-frequency impulses of described recovery pulse train:

β _n，y＝β _maxcos(λ(2-n))，n＝1，2 [1]

$\mathrm{\&lambda;}={\cos }^{-1}\left(\frac{{\mathrm{\&alpha;}}_{L,y}}{{\mathrm{\&beta;}}_{\max }}\right)/2---\left[2\right]$

Wherein, β _MaxBe maximum scan angle, α _{L, y}Scan angle for last refocusing pulse.

9. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 8, it is characterized in that utilize the part Fourier techniques to take magnetic resonance image (MRI), wherein, the k space only has half to be filled with raw data, only partly takes raw data at this on phase-encoding direction.

10. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 9, it is characterized in that for N the refocusing pulse (31) of a driving pulse, N is between 40 to 70, preferably between 50 to 60.

11. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 10, it is characterized in that, use saturated section (33) before this first driving pulse, destroying cross magnetization therein in first radio-frequency excitation pulses (30) of imaging sequence before.

12. method according to claim 11 is characterized in that, described saturated section (33) are at first driving pulse (30) time interval T before _TDBy separating the following calculating of Bloch equation:

$T_{\mathrm{TD}}=-T_1\ln (1-\frac{M_{Z0}}{M_0}).$

13. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 12, it is characterized in that, determine two repetition time TR between the driving pulse by calculating Bloch equation.

14., it is characterized in that the scan angle of the 3rd high-frequency impulse (32c) of described recovery pulse train is calculated by separating described Bloch equation according to each described method in the claim 3 to 13.

15. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 14, it is characterized in that, change the scan angle of described refocusing pulse (31) like this, make the scan angle of high-frequency impulse induction between 70 °-90 ° of winning, wherein, the value of this scan angle reduces to 20 ° to 30 ° in being less than 10 high-frequency impulses, and this scan angle is increased to value between 40 ° to 60 ° continuously up to N high-frequency impulse.

16., it is characterized in that according to each described method in the claim 1 to 15, take to check the magnetic resonance image (MRI) of object brain, with obtain between ectocinerea and the white matter of brain to image degree of ratio.

17. method according to claim 16, it is characterized in that, determine that the signal of ectocinerea during N refocusing pulse changes, determine to have relevant with refocusing pulse, substantially invariable signal variation then at this signal of which refocusing pulse, wherein, under this refocusing pulse, take the center in k space, the signal difference maximum between this ectocinerea and white matter of brain.

18. according to each described method in the claim 1 to 17, it is characterized in that, utilize three-dimensional imaging sequence, two phase encoding gradients two different direction in space photographs magnetic resonance image (MRI).

19., it is characterized in that described high-frequency impulse has substantially be the profile of rectangle, and be launched under the situation of not connecting gradient simultaneously according to each described method in the claim 1 to 18 in time-varying process.

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